Sam Ryder has said he feels there’s been a change in attitudes towards Eurovision in the UK due to the younger generation.
The 32-year-old singer is the UK’s entry for the European competition this year, and hopes to buck the nation’s poor performance in recent years.
In a new behind-the-scenes video documenting Sam’s journey to Eurovision, the musician said: ‘The level of songwriting and performance, and musicianship – it keeps elevating every year.
Shift: Sam Ryder has said he feels there’s been a change in attitudes towards Eurovision in the UK due to the younger generation
‘That’s why I’m so excited for not just the distance future of Eurovision, but it’s immediate future, especially in the UK because I feel a shift in the attitude towards it.’
Explaining the shift, he said: ‘There’s a new younger audience getting involved through apps like TikTok. And I think it’s going to be incredible.
‘It’s going to become unstoppable. And I really am excited for the moment it starts to launch careers in the UK.’
Hopeful: The 32-year-old singer is the UK’s entry for the European competition this year, and hopes to buck the nation’s poor performance in recent years
‘Elevating’: In a new behind-the-scenes video documenting Sam’s journey to Eurovision, the musician said: ‘The level of songwriting and performance, and musicianship – it keeps elevating every year’
Change in opinion: He said: ‘That’s why I’m so excited for not just the distance future of Eurovision, but it’s immediate future, especially in the UK because I feel a shift in the attitude towards it’
During the documentary, Sam described how it felt to keep his entry secret from the world, saying it was ‘pretty easy’.
He said: ‘It was pretty easy to keep the secret actually because I always tell myself if an opportunity comes along I never believe it’s happened until that moment actually happens and you’ve walked off stage.’
He concluded by saying that he was not overly concerned with doing well in the contest, and his priority was the music and enjoying the experience.
Tight-lipped: During the documentary, Sam described how it felt to keep his entry secret from the world, saying it was ‘pretty easy’
Priorities: He concluded by saying that he was not overly concerned with doing well in the contest, and his priority was the music and enjoying the experience
‘I want to come home after May 14th and feel that I was singing with the same intention that I was singing with since I first fell in love with singing and it was a way of expressing joy and finishing happiness, and it means everything to me.
‘I hope that Eurovision is an extension of that journey I’m not looking for validation outside of that energy. And I’m excited for what the future holds, I want to keep singing my head off.’
It comes as his odds of winning the contest have been slashed by bookies as Saturday’s final approaches.
Not worried about points: He said: ‘I’m not looking for validation outside of that energy. And I’m excited for what the future holds, I want to keep singing my head off’
Looking good: It comes as his odds of winning the contest have been slashed by bookies as Saturday’s final approaches
Odds are in his favour: His odds are currently stacked at 8/1 for the win, a huge improvement since the 69/1 odds when the bookies first opened up their bets
Impressive: Sam took to the stage beneath a massive metal structure, while spotlights surrounded him as he rehearsed for his epic performance
Glitzy: Sam dazzled in a lavish black suit embellished with silver sequins as he danced up a storm while playing electric guitar during rehearsals
His odds are currently stacked at 8/1 for the win, a huge improvement since the 69/1 odds when the bookies first opened up their bets.
The current favourites for the contest are still Ukraine however, after they advanced to the grand final, after band Kalush Orchestra took to the stage during Thursday’s semi-final in Turin.
However, track record over the past decade has shown that the pre-empted favourites of the competition have only taken home the prize half of the time.
The Eurovision Song Contest 2022 live final is on Saturday 14 May, 8pm BBC One.
Third time lucky! Folk punk band Zdob şi Zdub have already represented Moldova twice before at Eurovision (pictured Moldova)
Incredible: Chanel Terrero will represent Spain in the contest, after they automatically went through as part of the Big Five (pictured Spain)
Looking good: Chanel looked incredible in a pair of cutout trousers as she practiced in dress rehearsals before the final (pictured Spain)
Made it! Ukraine have advanced to the grand final, with band Kalush Orchestra after Thursday’s semi-final in Turin (pictured Ukraine is dress rehearsal)
United: Kalush Orchestra from Ukraine walks on the stage with Ukrainian flag, during the dress rehearsal (pictured Ukraine)
Favourites: Kalush Orchestra will perform their song Stefania, despite prior fears they’d be unable to travel to Italy for the Contest in the wake of Russia’s invasion (pictured Ukraine)
Spooky: Poland’s entry Krystian Ochman was shown rehearsing with black fringe dressed dancers (pictured Poland)
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